Apparatus for delivering package inserts or the like to folding boxes in a packaging machine

ABSTRACT

An apparatus for delivering package inserts or the like to folding boxes in a packaging machine has a brochure device secured to a support via an adapter plate, and the support is in turn supported horizontally pivotably in a bearing block. The embodiment according to the invention makes it possible to gain access to devices located inside the apparatus in an ergonomically favorable way, in particular for maintenance work, without having to dismantle parts of the apparatus.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to an apparatus for delivering package inserts or the like to folding boxes in a packaging machine, as generically defined by the preamble to claim 1.

In one such known apparatus, the brochure device is disposed on the apparatus or secured in stationary fashion. It is therefore necessary in the event of maintenance work, changes of format, changes of folding pockets, or adjustments to code readers, which are possible only from the side remote from the machine operator, to reach around the brochure device or run all the way around the entire apparatus. Moreover, the transfer point of the package insert or brochure from the brochure device to the transfer device is only poorly accessible, which is especially disadvantageous if problems arise. For the aforementioned jobs, the poor accessibility of the known apparatus means overall increased expenditure of time or even the dismantling of individual component groups.

ADVANTAGES OF THE INVENTION

The apparatus of the invention for delivering package inserts or the like to folding boxes in a packaging machine, having the definitive characteristics of claim 1, has the advantage over the prior art that all the aforementioned jobs can be done ergonomically favorably with little effort. According to the invention, this is attained essentially by disposing the brochure device pivotably on the apparatus; thus when the brochure device has been pivoted out of the way, free accessibility to the relevant places inside the apparatus is made possible.

Advantageous refinements of the apparatus of the invention for delivering package inserts or the like to folding boxes in a packaging machine are defined by the dependent claims. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the brochure device is secured to a pivoting support, with which the energy supplies for the brochure device are integrated. Removing the power supplies, to allow pivoting the brochure device out of the way, and then reinstalling them is thus unnecessary. At the same time, the power supplies are disposed in a protected way.

Another advantage is the use of an adapter plate that is suitable for receiving various brochure devices. As a result, it is possible for one and the same apparatus to be adapted without major effort to various brochure devices, or to couple different brochure devices to one and the same apparatus.

Securing the pivoting support to the inside of a frame side wall makes simple and stable fastening possible.

DRAWING

One exemplary embodiment of the invention is shown in the drawing and will be described in further detail below. FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, in a simplified perspective view of the region relevant to the invention, show an apparatus of the invention for delivering package inserts or the like to folding boxes in a packaging machine, in the operating position and in a maintenance position, respectively.

DESCRIPTION OF THE EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENT

In the drawings, an apparatus 10 for delivering package inserts or brochures to folding boxes is shown. The apparatus 10 is a component of a packaging machine, or so-called cardboard box making machine, which delivers the products to be packaged to folding boxes; these products are inserted jointly, together with the package inserts, into the folding boxes. Examples of packaged products that can be considered are tablet blister packs, bottles, ampules, tubes, and so forth.

The apparatus 10 has a frame 11, which is bounded on both sides by a side wall 12, of which only one side wall 12 is shown. An opening 13 is provided in the side wall 12, and through it, products introduced beforehand into the apparatus 10 can be sent onward out of the apparatus 10 to subsequent devices. For conveying the products or product to be packaged, a conveyor system 15 is used, which may for example be embodied as a bucket chain. In the lower region of the frame 11, a ricochet plate 16 is shown, which makes it simple to eject products or package inserts that have fallen through the inside of the apparatus 10.

Above the conveyor system 15, there is a base plate 17 with a cutout 18, which can be used to receive other devices, not shown. The cutout 18 is open toward the operator control side of the apparatus 10.

A support 21 is pivotably supported on a bearing block 20 on the side wall 12. The pivot axis of the support 21 extends perpendicular to the apparatus 10; that is, the support 21 can be pivoted in the horizontal direction. An adapter plate 22 is secured to the support 21. A brochure device 25 is secured in turn to the adapter plate 22. The adapter plate 22 is designed in such a way, or has enough hole punches, that the most various types of brochure devices 25 can be secured to the adapter plate 22.

The brochures that must be supplied to the product to be packaged are kept on hand in the brochure device 25. For that purpose, the brochure device 25 has a brochure magazine 26 for the package inserts. In the lower region of the brochure device 25, a folder 29 and a grooving device 27 are shown, which respectively fold and groove a package insert taken from the brochure magazine 26. A package insert thus folded and grooved is ejected from the brochure device 25 by means of a brochure transfer device 28.

The brochure device 25, the folder 29, the grooving device 27, and the brochure transfer device 28, in the exemplary embodiment shown, form a component group that is disposed overall on the support 21. In the operating position, shown in FIG. 1, at least the brochure transfer device 28 protrudes into the cutout 18 of the base plate 17, and viewed overall the brochure device 25 covers the cutout 18. A package insert taken from the brochure device 25 by the brochure transfer device 28 is taken over, inside the apparatus 10, by a delivery device 30, not completely shown, which extends at least partly parallel to the conveyor system 15 in the apparatus 10, and which delivers the package inserts to the product being packaged, or puts a package insert, folded into a U, together with the product to be packaged.

In FIG. 2, a maintenance position of the apparatus 10 is shown, in which the brochure device 25, together with the folder 29, the grooving device 27, and the brochure transfer device 28, has been pivoted out of the operating position. Here it is especially advantageous for the electrical connecting lines for the brochure device 25 to be integrated with the support 21; as a result, when the brochure device 25 is being pivoted in the bearing block 20, it is not necessary first to unplug the electrical connecting lines and then plug them back in again. 

1-5. (canceled)
 6. An apparatus (10) for delivering package inserts or the like to folding boxes in a packaging machine, the apparatus comprising a brochure device (25), in which the package inserts are kept on hand in a magazine (26), the brochure device (25) including a folder (29) and a grooving device (27) for the package inserts and a transfer device (28) for transferring the package inserts from the brochure device (25) to a delivery device (30), which latter is disposed at least partly parallel to a product conveyor system (13), and pivotal support means (21) pivotably supporting the brochure device (25) on a vertically disposed shaft whereby the brochure device pivotable into a position in which free access to devices in the apparatus (10) is enabled.
 7. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein the brochure device (25) is secured to a pivoting support means (21), in which the energy supplies for the brochure device (25) are disposed.
 8. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein the brochure device (25) is secured on an adapter plate (22), which is suitable for various brochure devices and is connected in turn to the pivoting support means (21).
 9. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein the pivoting support (21) is secured to the inside of a frame side wall (12) of the apparatus.
 10. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein the pivoting support (21) is secured to the inside of a frame side wall (12) of the apparatus.
 11. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein the folder (29), the grooving device (27), and the transfer device (28) are coupled with the brochure device (25) and are thus pivotable as a unit together with the brochure device (25).
 12. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein the folder (29), the grooving device (27), and the transfer device (28) are coupled with the brochure device (25) and are thus pivotable as a unit together with the brochure device (25).
 13. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein the folder (29), the grooving device (27), and the transfer device (28) are coupled with the brochure device (25) and are thus pivotable as a unit together with the brochure device (25).
 14. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the folder (29), the grooving device (27), and the transfer device (28) are coupled with the brochure device (25) and are thus pivotable as a unit together with the brochure device (25).
 15. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein the folder (29), the grooving device (27), and the transfer device (28) are coupled with the brochure device (25) and are thus pivotable as a unit together with the brochure device (25). 